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Title: Violists

Author: Richard McGowan

Release Date: June 19, 2008 [EBook #112]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

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Produced by HTML version by Al Haines

Violists, by Richard McGowan

(C)1994 Richard McGowan

San Jose, California

January 22, 1994

TEXTUAL NOTE: In this edition words of French origin in the text are spelled without their customary accent marks,
due to the limitations of the ASCII medium. It is the author's intent that they be spelled with accents whenever possible
(e.g., gateau, tête-à-tête).

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

"Violists" began to germinate early in December last, as Christmas approached. I originally intended that it be ready

before the new year, but alas, it came in behind schedule, and was not completed until January. It is still winter in some
places—the right season for such morsels—so rather than let the work languish upon the shelf for another year...

Somewhere out there on The Net, I hope there is a solitary reader settled comfortably in a warm study with a nice

cup of tea. Perhaps the lights are out, and the amber glow of the terminal spreads faint warmth through the room;
overstuffed bookshelves loom behind in the darkness. If the evening air is crisp and a soft snow is falling outside the
window, so much the better—a view of icicles would be a magical touch.

— Richard McGowan
San Jose, California
January 22, 1994

VIOLISTS

by Richard McGowan

(Opus 22)

1. Gretchen in the Library
2. The Hungarian Lightbulb
3. Christmas Concert

GRETCHEN IN THE LIBRARY

In winter the interior of the university library was hardly warmer than the outside, and it was terribly drafty. The

sole difference between the interior and exterior, Gretchen often remarked to herself, was that the latter received an
occasional snow. The library at least was dry. On most days in the unfrequented areas—the closed stacks on the
second and third floors—one could see one's breath in the middle of the afternoon. Gretchen thought it hardly the sort
of climate she would have chosen for her own books. But the cost of heating such an enormous building—well, she
decided she could hardly imagine so extravagant a sum. On the coldest days, she often wore two petticoats. She found
the best method of staying warm, though, was to bustle as quickly as she could. Primarily, she worked in the stacks,
extracting books for the library's patrons and reshelving books that had returned—and keeping the shelves in good
order.

Gretchen's twenty-ninth birthday had arrived—quite too quickly—the day before, and she bustled with an excess

of alacrity to relieve her mind from the brooding that had occupied her for several days. She had spent the evening
alone, though she knew it did her no good to seek solitude. To accept being past her prime of life would be simpler
perhaps, and productive of less anguish, than fretting over what could not be changed. She was nearly thirty, though—
and she knew what lay in store for her a few years hence. She had only to look at the assistant reference librarian, Miss
Sadie, to see how she herself would be in but a few more years. The thought nearly made her shudder, and if she
allowed herself to think too deeply upon the matter, might have brought her to tears. Thankfully, Gretchen told herself,
she could grow old among the books, where at least she had the company of great minds—or their legacy—rather than
spend a life straining in a factory—or under the yoke of an old-fashioned man.

She had been estranged from her family for six years and rarely given them serious thought since fleeing

Connecticut. A simple enough row it had been to start—what should she do now that she had finished university? Of
course her father recommended marriage and settling into the domestic life—a pretty girl like her. Him and his
antiquated ideals—a pretty girl in the kitchen, indeed! At twenty-three she had finally come to her senses and refused to
marry the young man to whom she had been betrothed, no matter how well matched her father thought they were.

Her mother had frequently confided to Gretchen her views on the varied pleasures—and trials—inherent in

marriage, admitting that as the years passed she found the pleasures perhaps not worth the other hardships—the
outward subjugation of her own feelings and the constant deference she was required to display within the confines of
that marriage, as if she had no independent mind. Gretchen had long since determined that would not be her fate. She
had come to believe that no suitable man could be found, yet she remained unsatisfied. The only true regret she had
about casting off her family ties was that she had disappointed her mother. It was her mother who had worked so hard,
really, to see that Gretchen had an education; her father only begrudgingly went along for the sake of domestic
tranquility when all efforts to dissuade her had failed.

At university Gretchen had imbibed the rarefied intellectual atmosphere with increasing eagerness and found herself

drawn irresistibly up the slopes of Parnassus. She had always intended to work after completing university—and work
she did, though she had difficulty making due with what employment she could find. Even a superlative education, she
had learned in six years, did not buy one certain rights or reasonable wages. She hoped that she would yet see the
flowering of an age that she could call an enlightened one. She might have been bitter had she higher material
aspirations, but she was content with little in the way of physical comforts. Why the privilege of spending nearly all her
days in the library would have been worth almost any sacrifice—what need had she of wages!

It was lamentable, she decided, that she should have to forgo marital companionship if she were to retain her

individuality—for the price of her freedom was a monumental sort of loneliness that only the severest mental discipline
could overcome. She had seen so many of her school friends smothered in the clutches of bad marriages, worn out

beneath their husbands' heels—almost like doormats. To be truthful there were those who seemed to prosper in the
state of matrimony, but she thought them few. Yet, she still had an abiding fear that she would grow old alone—and
soon enough become as obdurate as Miss Sadie—a pitiable spinster with none of the finer sensibilities left to her. Was
there no man, Gretchen wondered, with whom she could share her life and interests—a man with progressive ideas?
Not a man that she, like a tiny moon, would orbit eternally, but one with whom she could find a state of mutual orbit.
Well, she thought, something of that nature anyway. Her knowledge of astronomy was not up to the task of finding a
better analogy, and she resolved to remedy that as soon as she was able. She added another volume—'something
concerning the heavens' she called it—to the list of books she thought she really must read.

Gretchen bustled, thinking these thoughts, dreading her next birthday. She blew softly on a wisp of auburn hair that

had somehow escaped from the green ribbon with which she tied it back that morning. Several strands had somehow
got into her mouth but her arms were too full of books—heavy tomes, all—to pull them away with her fingers. She was
on the verge of setting down the burden and tending to her hair for a moment when, as she turned a corner into the next
row, a shadow fell across the topmost book in her arms. She glanced up in surprise. A man stood mere inches in front
of her—and looked up to find her bearing down upon him with a full head of steam—even as he stepped toward her.

"Oh!" she cried, attempting to stop herself. The books slid irretrievably from her grasp, their pages flying open with

a flutter.

The man's arms shot out. "The books!" came his cry of astonishment as they tumbled about him. He tried to catch

a few, left and then right, but alas they fell—all but one—to the floor with a dull clatter.

"Oh dear," Gretchen whispered, looking down. She feared she had bent a few pages, and putting a hand to her

mouth knelt immediately to gather them all. "I'm terribly sorry, sir," she continued in a rush as she piled books one after
the other. "My clumsiness..."

"Think nothing of it, Miss," the man replied lightly. "It's my fault. I do hope _you_ were not harmed by _my_

clumsiness..." He knelt then, and began to place books upon her stack, starting with the volume he had saved from
falling. The lucky book was one of the late Mr. Darwin's, and when he glanced momentarily at the spine she blushed
deeply despite herself—for she had that day finished reading it, and was returning it to its rightful place. She knew that
he had seen her cheeks color.

Gretchen looked around, and seeing there were no more stray books, prepared to pick up the stack again. She

stood up to catch her breath and smooth her wool skirt, arching back her shoulders. Looking down at the man, she
finally remembered to blow the wisp of hair from her face. He was looking up at her and positively beaming—clean-
shaven and light complected, she noted—but the smile faded almost instantly to a faint curling about the corners of his
lips.

"Please accept my apologies," he stated, still kneeling upon the floor. "I will have to be more careful." His hair was

dishevelled—great curly locks of jet black, and he laughed nervously as he brushed it from his eyes. He peered at her
with eyes so black, yet so kindly, that Gretchen found herself blushing again and put a hand to her chest. The man
stopped for a moment to adjust his shirt and coat, then stood slowly, and with the hint of a bow, swept past her and
away. Unaccountably, she felt suddenly light-headed and sat down upon the floor by her books. His eyes! she
exclaimed to herself with an outrush of breath. She felt that in an instant they had devoured her; had known all about
her. She could not recall ever having seen such lively and intelligent eyes—so deep and black they seemed like
windows opening onto a starlit sky. And his hand! when he placed the last book upon the stack—the nails so trim. His
hands were almost feminine, and finely wrought. Gretchen gradually composed herself, then picked up her books and
continued about her work.

Several times thereafter in the course of a fortnight Gretchen saw the same young man about the library, and they

developed an acquaintance that began and ended with nodding pleasantly and wishing each other "good day". She
thought him quite the most interesting patron she had seen in the library for... she knew not how long—perhaps never in
the two years she had been there. He was flamboyant, certainly, Gretchen decided, but he had not that rakishness or
arrogance that so often accompanies one who is as smart a dresser as he seemed. Her thoughts chanced to light upon
him sometimes, and within the fortnight, she decided he must be attached to the university. Perhaps a professor—well
certainly not a full professor, he was far too young and had not grown into that masculine stuffiness that comes with long
tenure—and his physique was trim. No, she decided, he was probably a fresh young assistant to an elder professor.

"Gretchen, dear." Miss Sadie's voice crackled behind her in a very strange manner and Gretchen looked around. "I

do fear I'm catching some contagion, dear," Miss Sadie continued in a whisper, "can you possibly mind the desk until
closing?"

Gretchen hesitated for a moment. She had worked long enough in the library to feel at ease, and with classes

already in recess for the Christmas holidays, there were few patrons. "Of course, Miss Sadie," she answered. "I do
hope you're feeling better tomorrow."

"If not, I shan't be in," Miss Sadie replied in a very weak tone. "I'll—I'll try to send word."

"I'll see to everything, Miss Sadie—just take care of yourself." She paused. "And I'll inform Mr. Johnson—it's no

trouble at all." With a smile and a pitying wag of her head, she added, "Take good care of yourself."

Miss Sadie thanked her, and took her leave. Gretchen was alone, at last, if only for an evening, as temporary

queen of the reference desk. Well, it was about time she was asked to do something besides fetch books, she thought
airily, and took a seat at Miss Sadie's desk. Miss Sadie was not very neat for a librarian, she thought, wiping a finger
across the desk, so she began to tidy a few things up. She put down a fresh blotter and arranged the papers in a more
orderly manner, then opened a drawer in search of a cloth. Really, Miss Sadie is the epitome of disorganization, she
muttered, seeing the jumble. It's a wonder that a woman like her can retain such a position.

Bing-bing! Gretchen looked up suddenly when the bell upon the front counter sounded. Standing there with his

hand poised above the bell was the young man.

"May I be of assistance?" Gretchen asked, in her most librarian-like tone.

The young man smiled. "I sincerely hope you can. I wonder if you might be able to help me find this book?" He

held out a small slip of paper between two fingers. "It doesn't appear to be in the open stacks."

Gretchen glided to the desk and took the slip of paper from him. A glance at the number was sufficient. "You're

correct," she told him, handing the paper back. "It's in one of the special collections."

"I wonder, then, Miss..." He paused, drawing out the word into a silence, until Gretchen felt obliged to fill the

audible gap.

"Haviland," she offered in a whisper.

"Miss Haviland. Could you help me locate it?" He smiled with the slightly curling lips he always wore. Not

condescending, she decided—perhaps amused, or even flirtatious.

Gretchen stood flustered for a moment. Patrons were not allowed into the special collections—they were under

lock and key. Should she leave the reference desk unattended while she fetched it for him? In the interim, what if
another patron had pressing business? A preposterous quandary, Gretchen then told herself. "Of course, Professor,"
she replied crisply. "Let me bring the key."

The young man laughed then, with a toss of his head so that his black curls flopped into his eyes. He suddenly

sighed, with an exaggerated look of defeat, brushing back his hair. "Do I appear so like a professor, Miss Haviland?
How did you know?"

It was Gretchen's turn to be amused, and she smiled as she went to Miss Sadie's desk drawer to bring the key.

"You have not the air of a student, Professor..." she drew out the word in a manner imitative of his previous query, until
he had to break into a wondrous smile.

"Bridwell!" he exclaimed, and rapped four fingernails once upon the desk. "Employed only this year—in the English

department."

"Professor Bridwell," she continued, imparting a certain air of coquetry to her words, "your dress is frankly too

punctilious for a student; and if I might be so tactless, you seem... more evolved, shall we say."

Having drawn out the key, she beckoned him to follow. They ascended the back staircase—likewise taboo for

patrons. All the while Gretchen thought how to exonerate herself should she be caught by one of her superiors while
leading a patron—alone—into the inner sanctum. She decided the best approach would be to plead ignorance—"Oh,"
she could say, "I had no idea that professors were considered ordinary patrons." Would that be sufficient excuse?

The book was easy to find, and Gretchen put herself to no particular difficulty—but nevertheless, Professor

Bridwell's thanks were profuse. He consulted the book—which could not leave the library—for an hour or more. On
departing he returned the book to the counter. He inclined his head, with the now-familiar flop of his curly hair, and
said, "I do hope to have the pleasure again, Miss Haviland."

Gretchen watched from Miss Sadie's desk as he departed through the foyer and down the steps leading out. She

closed her eyes for a moment and sat quietly after he had left—simply savoring the moment. A faint scent lingered
behind him: a distinctive cologne that left quite a favorable impression on her.

Gretchen attended a short afternoon concert on campus. It was the last student recital of the season, and she had

heard tell of the program: the afternoon was to open with mazurkas by Chopin and a selection of those divine
"Transcendental Etudes" by Liszt—she could not stay away. Chopin was an aperitif, followed by a few mildly diverting
piano works by students. Then, she sat breathless and transported—utterly transported, halfway to tears upon a bed of

clouds—through the etudes of Liszt. In particular she had never heard the "Harmonies du Soir" more beautifully
rendered.

After an intermission, which she spent simply sitting quietly, pondering the exquisite delicacies of Liszt's piano

writing, the second part of the concert opened with Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", performed by an intimate ensemble
rather than with the full complement of strings. The performers were students, to be sure, but she found it delightful
nonetheless. When the "Autumn" season opened, she even felt a sudden chill in the air—the performance was so
wonderfully effective—and she pulled her shawl more tightly around her shoulders. She chanced then to look across the
audience, and thought that several rows down, in front of her, she saw Professor Bridwell. She had no idea he liked
concerts; in fact, she realized that she knew nothing whatever about him. She was positive it was the professor—even
from the back, there was no mistaking his curly hair. At once she realized that he rather resembled portraits of Hector
Berlioz. He sat upright, almost leaning forward in a posture that seemed ready to rise in an instant. She fancied that
could she but see his handsome face, his eyes would be closed, as he was carried away by the music, blown upon
Vivaldi's autumn wind. Why she was looking at the audience rather than at the orchestra she really did not know—she
forced her gaze away from the professor's back and tried to concentrate again upon the music. But her effort was
unsuccessful.

When the concert was ended, Gretchen fairly ran to the exit, and stood there at the door, looking back across the

auditorium. Yes, it was he, she saw finally. He was coming up the aisle and she glimpsed his face among the swarm of
bodies. He appeared to be alone; he spoke to nobody. She stepped out of the way and kept looking across the
audience, as if seeking someone else. He soon arrived, and when he walked past, she turned and looked at him, as if
suddenly noticing him for the first time.

His smile was as delightful as always. "Good evening, Miss Haviland," he said, with a tone of warmth.

"Good evening, Professor." Gretchen thought that he slowed for a second or two, but she felt acutely embarrassed

to be observing him too closely, and looked away toward the crowd again. He continued walking.

When the professor had passed, Gretchen let out her breath slowly. Into the thick of the crowd she plunged, and

went out through the lobby. Evening had come on and it was dark outside. Vast hordes were dispersing across the
plaza, pouring from the auditorium. As she stepped into the bitterly chill air and started down the stairs, a voice hailed
her from behind.

"Are you alone, then, Miss Haviland?"

Gretchen whirled around at the sound of the professor's voice, in time to see him laugh briefly. He was standing just

outside the doors, facing outward, his greatcoat pulled tightly around himself.

Gretchen went to stand on the step below. "Actually, yes," she replied, looking up. "I am alone. I came by myself

on a whim."

"It's quite chilly this evening," he said, stepping down once. They started down the stairs beside each other. "Would

you fancy a cup of coffee, by chance, before making your way home?"

Gretchen smiled. He certainly had a forward manner; but she found it refreshing, and—after all, she had really been

seeking him, had she not? "Why, that sounds like a delightful diversion, Professor. I believe I shall."

With that, they set off together across the plaza. Gretchen started immediately upon a likely topic of conversation:

the concert they had just attended. It was instantly evident that Professor Bridwell had found the Liszt etudes as
breathtaking as she had. And during the Vivaldi, as well, he agreed that he had felt a sudden chill at precisely the same
time as she.

"The ensemble did well," she concluded. "I suppose that is the way Vivaldi would have heard the work too—none

of these large, modern orchestras quite out of proportion to the delicacy of the music."

"The modern orchestra," stated the professor, "is well enough suited for modern works, but really, the intimacy

required for performing earlier works—as Vivaldi for instance—is really lost in the great crowd of strings."

"Agreed."

Presently they came to the campus gates and found their way to a small café. Seated at a tiny marble table, they

had a delightful tête-à-tête, and found much to agree upon regarding both the performance, and the subject of music in
general. Though he had not quite her madness for Liszt, he agreed with Gretchen's assessment of the "Transcendental
Etudes"—divinely inspired, and, like much of Liszt's work, nearly beyond the reach of mortals.

Gretchen was on her second coffee and feeling rather giddy. She could hardly hold her cup steady, and she finally

set it down with a laugh.

"Do you play an instrument, Professor?" she asked, pushing her cup away with one hand.

"Well, I would not so much call it playing the instrument," he answered, "as playing _at_ the instrument."

"I see," she laughed. "Rather the way I play _at_ the viola—though I daresay you speak of Liszt's writing as if you

have some experience with it."

The professor seemed rather at a loss for an instant. He glanced away over Gretchen's shoulder, but recalled

himself quickly and lifted his cup to his lips, meeting her eyes again. "I do admit I have _tried_." He set his cup down
while reaching into his vest pocket, as if searching for something. "But really," he continued, "I haven't the technique.
How about yourself, Miss Haviland? I take it you do rather well yourself, upon the viola."

Gretchen blushed, realizing that she must have sounded boastful just then. The professor seemed not to have taken

it in stride—she realized that this must have accounted for his momentary loss for words. "Well," she said then, settling
herself forward upon her chair. "At one time—when I was quite young, you understand—I fancied I would perform
upon the instrument. But..."

"Ah." Professor Bridwell smiled. "Then, other interests swept you away, no doubt. But still you play?" He had

pulled a silver cigarette case from his vest pocket, and he turned it over in his fingers.

"Oh, indeed." Gretchen sighed deeply. "I suppose, with all modesty set aside, I was adequate on the instrument—

but adequacy in a performer is hardly to be tolerated..." Before he could reply, she rushed onward, feeling her face
flush. "I certainly do not practice with any regularity of late!"

Professor Bridwell laughed. "I daresay—at our time of life—leisure hours seem so unobtainable..." He looked at

his cigarette case, polishing it with a thumb. Seeming to think better of smoking just then, however, he returned the case
to his vest pocket.

Gretchen's smile was thin. She inclined her head, acknowledging the truth of what he said—they were indeed

probably of an age. Certainly, she thought he could be no more than thirty-three or thereabouts. "Then, too, music,
while an engaging diversion, and the source of much happiness, is better shared, wouldn't you say Professor?" He
nodded slightly, and Gretchen clarified her statement. "That is to say—practicing is all very well, but...the joy of music is
in sharing it with one's friends—musical soirées and evenings in the parlor with a roaring fire. Old friends gathered
around the piano—and champagne!—"

Professor Bridwell warmed to her words, and rubbed his hands together as if before the very fire she had

mentioned. "You have hit it precisely," he replied with enthusiasm. "Why—it's no wonder that living, as I do, alone in a
house that I fear is far too large for..."

Gretchen thought she detected the professor falter just then, and there was the slightest of pauses in his speech.

"... For myself alone, you see," he finished. He laughed at himself, tossing the black mop of hair to one side. "But I

needed some place instantly when I arrived here. I will probably find smaller digs in a year or so, when I've come to
know the city more intimately."

"Indeed," Gretchen answered, returning his smile. "I quite understand how one needs permanent lodgings—the

more quickly one can find them in a strange city, why, the quicker one is able to settle into life, get one's bearings in a
foreign port."

"So true," he replied with a firm nod.

A few moments later, a juncture seemed to have been reached in their conversation. Their coffees were at an end,

and neither of them had touched their cups for what seemed ages, so engaged had they become in their conversation.

"But now," Professor Bridwell exclaimed, with a glance to his pocket watch, "I should not be keeping you away

from your supper or—or your other duties any longer. Please allow me to escort you home, Miss Haviland—or where
you may be going."

"Thank you, Professor—but really there is no need," she declared. She thought that sounded too firm, and she

smiled easily, to show that she meant it only literally, not as a rebuff. "My rooms are close by, and the evening air will do
me good, you see. It shan't take me more than ten minutes at a brisk pace."

"Yes," he agreed. "I believe I shall walk myself. The air is good for the circulation, as long as one's pace is brisk."

Gretchen rose, and took a curtsey. The Professor held her coat and stood attentively while she donned her gloves.

"I do thank you most kindly for the enchanting evening, Professor Bridwell. It—it has been marvelous."

"Likewise, Miss Haviland. I sincerely hope we shall have the pleasure again soon."

With a few more words of parting, Gretchen stepped into the street, followed by Professor Bridwell, and they

went their separate ways. She fancied that he stood in the street and gazed at her until she turned the next corner, but
she dared not glance back. The evening was extremely cold, though not overcast, and her wool coat, even with a shawl
wrapped beneath, did not keep the chill from seeping into her bones. She rarely wore hats, but that evening she wished
she had one—one of those large fur hats so favored in Russia, she thought—that would be most appropriate, since she
could pull it down around her ears. By the time she arrived at her rooming house a few minutes later, she was shivering.
She undressed and went straight to bed beneath layers of feather comforters with a hot water bottle pressed against her
chest. She had no appetite for supper, and resolved to arise early and eat a hearty breakfast to compensate.

Sleep was elusive in the extreme, but Gretchen found herself strangely delighted that she could not sleep, for she

had the leisure to think over in detail all that had happened that day. And especially, she had time to ponder her
interlude with Professor Bridwell. He was a most intriguing man. He was a professor of English Literature—well, that
could mean almost anything, she supposed—yet he did not have that _way_ about him. Nearly every professor of
English she had ever met—and a good many students of literature as well—were continually spouting clever quotes
gleaned from the works of obscure authors, living and dead—they were not particular about that. It often seemed to her
that the more obscure the quotation, the more it was admired amongst their cronies. She had always found such
practices revolting. But Professor Bridwell was not at all like that. Why, the entire evening—and it had been two hours
in fact that they had sat over cups lukewarm coffee—he had never quoted an author, famous or otherwise. Yet, his
choice of words, his demeanor, the hint of some foreign influence in his accent—the way he talked of Liszt—all pointed
to an intimacy with the most literate form of the English language. Through clear thoughts and meticulous expression—
rather than through haphazardly quoting other men—he exuded what she believed was a real professorial air, built upon
a solid foundation without pretense. She found him refreshingly attractive, both for his own sake and as a change from
the pompous professors she encountered so often in the library. As she drifted into sleep, the hot water bottle pressed
against herself, she hoped she would have the opportunity for another such conversation with Professor Bridwell.

Gretchen's cart of books was extraordinarily loaded. Rather than push it slowly between the stacks as she

reshelved books, she stopped the cart at the end of each row and carried a few books at a time to their proper places.
The library was more quiet than usual, and despite the overwhelming number of books she had to replace that day she
worked rather slowly. Lost in thought, she hummed to herself, not so loudly that any patron who happened to be about
could hear, but loud enough for her own amusement. She had just returned to the cart and pushed it to the next row.
She lifted another armful of books, choosing those whose home was in that particular row, and turned to walk slowly,
watching the numbers. She glanced at each book when she shelved it, lamenting that she had too little time that day—
there could be no stolen moments of reading, even briefly. She stood on her toes to reach an upper shelf and stopped
humming for a moment. The sound of a footfall reached her at that instant, and she gave the book a quick shove.

"Good day, Miss Haviland."

Gretchen looked around to see a fine pair of wool trousers, as she returned her weight fully to her feet. Following

upward with her eyes, she felt a pleasant blush. "Professor Bridwell, you startled me!" she exclaimed.

"Careful," he returned, reaching his hand above her head. Gretchen looked up to see that he pushed the book

further onto the shelf; she had left it precariously tottering on the edge. "You almost lost one, Miss Haviland."

"Oh dear," she laughed, and grasped the rest of the books more securely to her chest. She continued to walk easily

down the row, with her wool skirt swinging about her ankles. "Is there a book I can help you find?" she asked, whirling
toward him like a schoolgirl.

"Actually," the professor said, nervously drawing out the word. "I've not come in a—a professional capacity at all

today."

"Oh?" Gretchen turned to look at him, but kept walking. With her free hand, she extracted a strand of hair from her

mouth.

"The other evening—at coffee," he said, taking up the pace beside her. "Well, really, I found the conversation most

delightful and..."

"Yes?" Gretchen stopped, then knelt to shelve another book, lower down.

"And I was wondering," he continued rather quickly, as if he dare not speak of it, "whether you might consent to

dine with me this evening."

Gretchen stood up, rather slowly. "I—well..."

"Yes," the professor stammered, "of course—such short notice. I understand. It's hardly proper, and I'm sure

you're quite busy. Perhaps another time." He stepped backward as if to take his leave.

"Not at all," Gretchen said with a faint smile. She clutched the heavy books more tightly in her arms. "I should be

delighted, really." She caught his eye then, and saw it twinkle. The sight of his smile could not but make her return it
fully. "The other evening, it did seem there was ever so much more to say." She continued down the row, with
Professor Bridwell beside her.

"Is that an acceptance?"

She laughed and stopped to face him squarely, as if astonished. "Why, I believe it is, Professor." She blinked her

eyes. The sudden blush in his cheeks was profound, and she composed herself to keep from laughing.

"Would six o'clock be too late? Or too early?"

"Neither, Professor." Gretchen thought he looked as if he had been handed a Christmas goose. "I'll meet you at the

main entrance."

"Stupendous! I'll..." He still sounded incredulous, and seemed near to bursting. He pushed his black locks from his

eye, and twisted a lock on one finger. "I'll meet you at six then?"

They took their leaves of each other, and Gretchen thought she heard a faint whistling in the main stairwell as the

sound of his boots on the stone steps receded. She flew to her cart immediately the sound died away in the distance.
Her unflagging concentration would be required if she were to be finished by six—she had seven more cartloads of
books, and less than five hours in which to reshelve them all. She did not stop or rest until five forty-five, when she bid
Miss Sadie good evening, and made her way to the main entrance. She stood inside the great oak doors, under stone
arches where she could see the professor through the glass when he approached. With a few moments to ponder and
catch her breath while she waited, a sudden flutter filled her bosom. Good Lord, she thought to herself—it's a wonder
he did not think me scandalously forward. She felt a faint tingling in her cheeks as if she had begun to color. What sort
of woman would join a stranger for dinner with five hours notice? Part of her dared not even answer her own question,
but another part of her replied that he was not a perfect stranger by any means—she had met him any number of times
—and had joined him for coffee with no notice at all. It was hardly the time to start worrying about propriety. She
pulled the ribbon from her hair and brushed it before retying the ribbon carefully and flinging her hair behind her back.
The least I can do, she thought, is to make myself halfway presentable, though it's a pity I haven't time to change my
coat. A hat might have been welcome for its warmth—the evening was sure to be cold—and for fashion as well. But
then what is the use of seeming fashionable, she thought, if fashionable I am not?

With his arms wrapped closely around him and his ungloved hands tucked beneath his arms, Professor Bridwell

trotted up the stairs. Upon seeing him, Gretchen pushed open the doors and stepped outside.

"Why it's cooler than I had thought," she remarked.

The professor's smile fairly warmed her heart. "Let's hurry along then," he said between chattering teeth, "I know

just the place this evening. They'll even have a fire, and if we're quick about it, we might find a table close enough to feel
its warmth."

Side by side, they walked out through the plaza. The clouds had descended, muffling the sounds of the city

beyond. They continued through the campus gates into the nearby streets. The neighborhood was uncrowded, since so
many students had left for their holidays, and though there were a few groups of people walking to and fro, dressed
warmly against the weather, only the occasional carriage rattled by. Professor Bridwell led the way into a side street,
where they were greeted by a brightly lit café.

"I had no idea...," Gretchen began.

"Of a French café so near campus?" the professor finished for her. "It's quite new." He pulled open the door and

the sounds of bustling crowds and gay voices greeted them. "I say," he continued, "the place appears to have been
discovered." Gretchen followed him in while he held the door, and stood by removing her gloves while he conferred
with the head waiter. She glanced up as she folded her gloves in time to see the man wisk a bill into his apron pocket.

"Follow me, monsieur."

The professor took Gretchen's arm and led her along. Their table was in the back and, as Professor Bridwell had

hoped, it was close by an open brick fireplace filled with a roaring blaze of crackling oak logs. She sat in silent
attendance while their waiter recited, in heavily accented English, a seemingly unending speech upon the specialities of
the house.

Gretchen lost the particulars mid-way, and her eyes strayed beyond him to the fire. "I'm quite overwhelmed," she

exclaimed when he had finished and stood poised before them. "Please—do what you think best, Professor."

Professor Bridwell surprised her then, by leaning back with the casual air of one who knows what he is about, and

held forth in what seemed, to Gretchen's ear, flawless French.

"Bravo, Professor," she chimed when he had finished. "Your French is beautiful."

The professor seemed somewhat embarrassed then, and smoothly turned the conversation to the decor. The room

was hardly what Gretchen should have expected of a French café—it was done in stark white, with high rafters of
carved wood, but upon the walls hung gorgeously worked Persian carpets which served to bring the ceiling down and
lend intimacy to the room; and to muffle the sound of so many conversing guests. Their entrees arrived in due course—a
delightful poached white fish in delicate sauce, which they ate practically in silence, but for the occasional comment upon
the food. He asked after her health, and heard the small-talk of the day, then listened with interest to an abridged
account of her life, interjecting only occasional questions to clarify certain points. She stopped short of revealing the
estrangement of her family, but dwelt upon her years at university.

Gretchen at length noticed the emptiness of her plate and declared that the fish positively melted in one's mouth.

Professor Bridwell replied that he would send compliments to the chef. His smile grew gradually as he said this, with a
hint of something further he wished to add, but he stopped.

"Was there something else?" she asked, setting her silver carefully atop her empty plate.

"No, nothing," he laughed, putting down his own silver.

Presently, their plates were cleared away and the professor ordered a liqueur with coffee. Gretchen declined a

liqueur, having drunk enough wine already to raise her color slightly—she settled for coffee and a small gateau.

"You mentioned that you play the viola," he said, taking up his liqueur with one hand. "Have you been playing

long?"

"Since I was sixteen," she replied, stirring cream into her coffee. "I began with the violin as a child—I really can't

recall at what age. When I was sixteen I went away for a summer, and..." she stopped to look at him for an instant,
tapping upon her gateau with her fork. "Well, I met a young man who played the viola, and I was quite—quite taken
with his instrument. It seemed to suit me, really."

"I would say it does," the professor agreed. "Unusual, especially for a woman—mildly exotic even...and

intriguing..."

They continued conversing about the viola and the piano, telling each other about their favorite pieces, comparing

composers. Gretchen had never played the piano seriously herself—she found it frustrating and was amazed that
anyone could master such an instrument.

"It requires such independence of the hands," she said. "I've tried, but I could never play anything worth

mentioning. Oh, the organ is another one that I simply cannot fathom. Beautiful to hear, it's quite comical to watch—and
seems so awkward to play."

"Neither is really any more complicated than the viola, I should think," the professor replied. He had been twirling

his glass for some time, but he stopped and removed his hand from the table. "Think of the dexterity required to control
your bow, and the simultaneous imparting of vibrato while retaining correct intonation. It's quite as remarkable."

"I see what you mean, certainly. It all seems easy with long practice."

"Do you sing alto as well?"

She laughed. "Very poor alto, Professor."

"But alto nonetheless. I was certain you would sing alto." He sipped his liqueur again and twirled the glass slowly.

"What about opera? I despise Wagner myself."

"Really?" Gretchen replied, reaching for her coffee. "I can't say I truly enjoy Wagner's work, the little I have heard.

But Verdi—is luscious."

"Yes, Verdi. I quite agree with your assessment. And Mozart, of course, is beyond reproach."

"Positively. But I generally prefer the intimacy of lieder myself."

"German?"

She laughed and pointed her fork at him. "Not only German—chansons as well."

"I'm relieved to hear it." Professor Bridwell then put one hand into his pocket, and withdrew his silver cigarette

case. "Would you mind, Miss Haviland, if I smoke?"

"Of course not," she replied.

"Some ladies find it offensive," he said, opening the case slowly, "but I find it the perfect finish to a delightful meal."

"I couldn't agree more." Gretchen pushed away her plate—the gateau though small, was simply too rich—and sat

back upon her chair. Cigarettes had always appealed to her, and she indulged on occasion herself—in private. Cigars
she could not abide, however, for they reminded her too much of her father's odious acquaintances—men who came to
play cards each week throughout her childhood. "If I might ask," she said quietly, folding her hands the table, "how do
you feel about women smoking, Professor?"

He paused, with the open case upon the table before him and looked steadily into her eyes. "Miss Haviland," he

answered, "we are living in an enlightened age, are we not? Women's suffrage—and frankly, it will happen soon, I'm
sure. University educations—such as your own."

She nodded, but let him continue. He studied the top of the cigarette case with some care. From the side, a

hovering waiter produced a shallow ashtray of white china and set it near his elbow.

"I have no objection," he continued, "to a woman pursuing whatever takes her fancy, provided she's reached

majority. The same as any man." He fingered the cigarette case, closing and then opening it again. "A strong and
independent mind is an asset in anyone, male or female." He looked up hesitantly. "You seem to have such a mind.
You've read Mr. Darwin, I believe—and I suspect other progressive thinkers as well."

Gretchen smiled at him, but tilted her head with some puzzlement.

"You once called me more evolved," he replied answering her unspoken question. "That's hardly the sort of phrase

an unread woman would use. I presumed you have read Mr. Darwin, among others." He curled his lips upon seeing her
amusement and continued speaking. "It is the mind, I believe—and the soul, if one is religiously inclined—that really
distinguishes man from the lesser animals. Female no less than male—we all possess that most human of traits."

His extensive reply was more favorable and pointed than she would have thought possible. It pleased her, and

confirmed a great deal that she had sensed about him. "Then you won't mind at all if I join you?"

"By all means," he returned without hesitation, holding the silver case toward her. She deftly removed a cigarette,

and tamping it upon her fingernail twice, held it out for him to light. She bent back her wrist and let it dangle between her
long fingers while he lit his own cigarette.

"Now that we've learned all about me," she said, blowing a thin stream of smoke away, "perhaps you'll tell me

about yourself, Professor."

"Please," he said, setting the ashtray in the middle of the table, "do call me Antoine. We needn't be so formal, I

think."

She laughed quietly. "Antoine."

"My mother was French," he stated quietly.

Gretchen caught his use of the past tense, but did not inquire further. "No doubt she is the source of your excellent

French."

"Maman did speak French to me as a child—but my French is quite poor for anything but domestic conversation."

"From what little I speak," she replied, drawing on her cigarette, "you sounded quite fluent." She let the smoke

linger on her lips, then blew it away softly.

"Why thank you for the compliment...Miss Haviland."

"Oh, dear," she said, realizing what she had neglected. "My Christian name is Gretchen."

"Gretchen Haviland," he repeated slowly. "That has quite a satisfactory ring to it."

She complimented him on the quality of the tobacco when they were finished smoking. The hour was past nine

o'clock, so they left the café and walked into the street. The fog had descended, lower and thicker than before.
Occasional carriages appeared, rumbling quietly along. Tatters of mist blew sluggishly past the gaslights.

"I hope you shall allow me the pleasure of escorting you home this evening?" he asked as they walked.

"I should be honored."

He held out his elbow, and she slipped her gloved hand over his forearm. They walked in silence toward her

rooming house, both enjoying the quiet of the evening. It seemed much warmer than before, and Gretchen thought a
snow was about to fall. The air had the crisp scent of impending snow.

"I am delighted," Professor Bridwell said after a while, "that you were not busy this evening. Surely you must have

so many friends. Other engagements."

"No," she answered, "I have very few friends. But surely—Antoine—there must be any number of ladies who

would be far better company..."

"I'm too involved with my books, I fear. Studying all the time; preparing lectures—while the ladies run off with

younger rakes." He glanced at her with a teasing half-smile. "I'll be thirty-five come February."

Gretchen laughed to hear him say such things. But she was pleased that she had guessed his age so nearly.

"I fear," he continued, "it is my fate to attend concerts alone, and remain unwed all my life."

"Well," Gretchen replied, "there's something sad in that then, is there not? Two studious people nearly of an age,

with no other attachments." She looked sidelong at him. "And with Christmas so near..."

"Yes," he agreed, "there is a bit of sadness in that. Have you no family nearby, Gretchen?"

"No, they're ALL in Connecticut—too far to visit this year, and my rooming house would hardly be suitable for

inviting them to visit me."

He laughed pleasantly at this. Yet she did not tell him that she was estranged from her parents.

"Besides my family being far away—at twenty-nine, one cannot be forever running home to one's parents, can

one?" she asked.

"I do understand that," he said. "Fancy the two of us then, alone for Christmas—it seems rather a shame."

"It does indeed," Gretchen answered looking away. Snow had begun to fall, silently and hesitantly. The flakes,

drifting between the empty branches of trees along the avenue, seemed as large as walnuts; as fluffy as eider down.

The professor laid his hand across Gretchen's gloved hand, suddenly holding her fingers delicately beneath his. She

smiled at him, looking at his eyes; his mop of black hair, now bedecked with great white snowflakes. They stopped
walking for an instant, and she could see the wisps of mist curling away from his mouth as he opened his lips. The street
was silent. He took a step toward her and she realized that she was not looking far up into his eyes—he was not so
much taller than herself as she had imagined. She thought—suddenly aware of the palpitation of her heart—she found
herself hoping he would kiss her. She believed he would kiss her, just then, and she let out her hot breath. Mist escaped
her expectant lips on the faintest of breezes.

They stood for a long moment, facing each other until he turned slowly and stepped forward. Gretchen continued

walking beside him with her hand upon his arm. They crossed the street and at last were near her rooming house. She
looked up at the falling snow against a gray sky; the tangle of branches above them; the misty pools of light beneath the
gaslights. She glanced at his serene face, turning, though she continued to walk.

"I believe you almost kissed me back there, did you not Professor?"

"So, it's 'Professor' again, is it?" He smiled the faintest of smiles and looked away down the street. "Miss Haviland,

you did not ask to be kissed—back there." She turned quickly in front of him to catch his gaze, so that he had to stop.
"Not in so many words," he added, "I mean—you hesitated as much as I."

"Fancy that," she replied with a laugh, and began walking again, swinging her legs gaily, letting her skirt billow.

He touched her hand, draped over his forearm, and she felt the warmth of his fingers through her glove. They

walked on beneath bare branches and quietly falling snow. It seemed far too warm for snow—tropical almost, as if the
gaslights were warming the whole scene—the whole world. Winter was about to melt—the sun might even rise the next
instant and spring would return in a blaze of gold and green with soft rain, the scent of flowers.

"In future, perhaps I _shall_ ask, Professor." She leaned to grip his arm more tightly and whispered. "Perhaps I

shall."

THE HUNGARIAN LIGHTBULB

When the symphony orchestra collapsed in ruin after years spent floating, half-dead near bankruptcy, all the

musicians were thrown out of work. At that time nearly everyone was out of work anyway—many of them discovered
soup-kitchens and soon found employment at menial tasks. A few—the lucky or the talented, but mostly those with
both luck and talent—found other musical work well below stevedore's wages.

Jurgen had tremendous talent but no luck, yet he could not imagine any other life than being a violist. He would not

look for non-musical work—everything was unsuitable, and certainly unattractive. He took the little savings he had and
went West thinking to find a place less crowded with hungry musicians. Rather...